A Middle East specialist with ties to Donald Trump's team attended secret meetings during the presidential transition between the United Arab Emirates and Trump associates, and is now cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller, two people familiar with the matter say.

Special counsel Robert Mueller's interest in Jared Kushner has expanded beyond his contacts with Russia and now includes his efforts to secure financing for his company from foreign investors during the presidential transition, sources say.

A person close to the Parkland school shooter called the FBI on Jan 5 with a warning that included the "potential of him conducting a school shooting." The FBI did not follow protocols to investigate further.

Former Trump campaign adviser Rick Gates is finalizing a plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller's office, indicating he's poised to cooperate in the investigation, according to sources familiar with the case.

About

Shimon Prokupecz is a CNN crime and justice reporter covering the FBI and law enforcement and is based in Washington, D.C.

Throughout his time at the network, Prokupecz has reported on several breaking national news stories including the Justice Department bringing charges against Senator Robert Menendez, the investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting, President Trump's claims of wiretapping, and more.

Prokupecz began his CNN career in 2013 as a justice producer in Washington, D.C., before relocating to the network's New York bureau as a law enforcement producer where he covered the New York Police Department, FBI, and various law enforcement agencies in the Northeast U.S.

In 2017, Prokupecz returned to CNN's Washington bureau as a crime and justice reporter, where he has been an integral part of covering the investigation examining Russian meddling in U.S. elections.

Prior to joining CNN, Prokupecz worked as a producer at WNBC and as an assignment editor at WABC in New York City. He previously served as a paralegal in the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Prokupecz is from Brooklyn, New York and is a graduate of Hunter College.